The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-29
miscellaneous.
''OLD MRS. COLE. I"
BY s. A. WEISS.

"Wcll, do declare, Mrs. Stebbins. 81
you've been up to Barnville, and never let 6
soul of us know about it?"
"Ob," said Mrs. Stebbins, as she alighted
from wagon al her own door, and shook
hands with Miss Naylor, who happened tc
be passing, you see, only went for a day
and night, SO didn't think 1t worth while &c
advertise it on the church door | wanted
to buy some dry goods and kitchen things
and they're cheaper i'll Barnville than in q
little place like this And besides, there's
my niece, Maria, whom hadn't seen since
her last baby was born, and she and the baby
both in poor health. So thought might
as well go up, and SO kill two birds with one
stone"
ITO be sure! And how did you find Maria
and the baby? And how are all the folks in
Bnrnville?"
well, was glad to fad them two looking
pretty smart and spry; and as for the rest, !
didn't hear of anybody being sick or in trou.
bic, unless twas old Mrs. Cole"
"Ah! So old Mrs Coles sick ?" said Miss
Naylor, with look of aroused interest
And what is it ails her this timer"
why, nothing much, | reckon. | did
hear Maria holler to little Betty Cole, and
ask how her granma was to-day; and she
said bout the same as yesterday. Maria
asked if the fever was gone down; but just
then Jeems came in to dinner, SO didn't hear
the rest, and forgot TO ask Maria about Mrs
Cole"
well, well I'm sorry to hear she's sick,
poor soul for she's good woman, and we
can't easy afford to spare such. But she's
well on in years, and I've been ruther ex-
pectin' to hear of her being took down, con
siderin' she's over sixty. But law mel
mustn't keep you standin' here in the street,
and you Just come home. Good-by and de-
pend upon me for comm round soon to see
what pretty things you've brought"
With this Miss Naylor turned away, and
with her basket on her arm proceeded TO the
store for supply of groceries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the house
carpenters wife, engaged in cheapening cali
CO.
"You amt as smart as Miss Stebbins," said
Miss Naylor, as the two critically examined
the quality of the calico. She's been up to
Barnville, and laid in lot of dry goods and
things, for the sake of saving about twenty
five cents or so. For my part, l go for en-
couraging home trade"
well, | don't know" Mrs. Brown replied
doubtfully. Seems to me everybody's bound
to look out for their own interest, and | con.
TESS I'd be willing to go little out o the way
to save twenty-five cents. But what did
Sally Stebbins say was the news in Barn
ville?'
Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever Miss Stebblns said she
was no better when she left. She's ovel
sixty, and | wouldn't be surprised to hear
of her death any minute"
II wonder if John Coles wife knows of iii
She ought to be told, for her husbands moth
er was second cousin to old Mrs. Cole, and
they've got the same family name, and always
been friendly. If she dies, they'll of course
go to the funeral, as they did when the old
man died, four years ago"
Then Miss Naylor turned to the groceries
and Mrs. Brown, having concluded her bar.
gain by persuading the merchant to take a
basket of dried apples in part payment fol
his goods, left the store and took her way
homeward, well pleased.
Meeting neighbor ON the way, the two
stopped to exchange greetings and inquire
the news.
That reminds me-" said Mrs. Brown
promptly. "Ive jest this minute parted from
Liza Naylor, and she told me that she d
seen Mrs. Stebbins, who's Jest from Barnvile
and left old Mrs. Cole as low as could be
with fever Liza said they were every min.
ute expecting her DEATH and she's no doubt
gone by this time, poor soul. She thinks
Jane Cole will go to the funeral, if she knows
of the old lady's death
why, of course, they ought to send a
messenger and let 'em know" replied Mrs
Miller. They're their own kin, though not
very nigh; and naturally they'd go to the
funeral"
Mrs. Miller turned aside two squares to
speak to Fanny Bates, Mr.. John Coles wife
sister. Miss Bates was seated at her window
sewing, and Mrs Miller called to her:
Say, Fanny, does your sister Cole know
that old Mrs. Cole of Barnville's deadP"
Dead? Good gracious you don't say
so ?" said Miss Bates, dropping her work and
leaning out of the window, DO come in
and tell"
"Well, can't conveniently stop jest now
as it's time to be putting on dinner, and Hi.
rams so particular. But I've jest this mint
heard from Mrs. Brown that the old lady was
dying yesterday, when Mrs. Stebbins left
Barnville, and of course, the funeral will be
tomorrow. Wonder if your sister Cole will
60"
II don't know as she's heard of It," Miss
Fanny Bates answered. in some excitement
We never heard she was sick, or Jane would
have gone up to see her, though commonly
there amt much visiting between EN-"
Mrs. john Cole was busy making apple
dumping when her sister rushed into the
kitchen.
"Jane-oh, my! I'm most out O. breath
Have you heard of old Mrs Coles death ia
Barnvillc?'
Mrs. John dropped the dumping which
she was just rounding symmetrically in the
palms of her hands.
Good gracious, Fanny you've given me
turn. When did she die and how did you
hear it?"
"She was dying when Mrs. Stebbins left
Barnville yesterday, and Mrs. Miller says the
funeral will be tomorrow"
"And they never sent me word of mes
sage! Well that beats But then we ought
to make allowance for folks, when there's a
death in the family, and so much grief and
trouble, and such a lot of things TO attend TO-
Besides, it mightnt be convenient to get a
horse and boy to come fifteen miles to let
us know so all the same we will go to the
funeral. 'Twouldn't look friendly, nor like
kin, not to do so and you can go along with
us, Fanny, being Johns sster-in-law. They'd
take it kindly of you"
"And there's Mrs. Hll," said Fanny
"She's some sort O. kin to the Coles ON the
old mans side. Maybe she aud her daughter
would like to CO. as they've got carryall Of
their own. I'll just run round and let hei
know"
Mrs. John returned to her dumpliugs with
n deem siph